Audit quality indicators (AQI) & industry average
Accounting entities
Corporate service providers (CSPs)
Accountancy and audit
14 November 2025
Access industry data, guidance, and resources on ACRA's AQI Framework.
This page is under development and being progressively updated.
What are AQIs
AQIs are specific metrics used to assess audit quality. Since the launch of ACRA’s AQI Disclosure Framework (Framework) in 2015, AQIs have been used by various stakeholders:
By audit committees (ACs) in the assessment of auditors and the evaluation of the quality of the audit engagements performed;
By regulatory agencies in their regulatory efforts, to assess audit firms’ Systems of Quality Management (SoQM) and auditors’ appointment or reappointment; and
By audit firms to monitor performance and design responses to areas which require attention or improvement.
Many other audit oversight bodies from overseas jurisdictions have also recognised the value of AQIs in supporting stakeholders to make informed decisions and enhance audit quality.
In response to the evolving auditing landscape, ACRA regularly conducts timely and comprehensive reviews of the Framework. The 2025 review covered the following:
Applying insights gathered on the association between engagement-level metrics and audit quality;
Considering feedback obtained from users of the Framework; and
Studying international developments to:
Gain an understanding of the projects prioritised by international standard setters; and
Assess how the Framework compares with those developed by overseas audit oversight bodies.
Upon the review conducted in 2025, ACRA’s revised AQI Disclosure Framework now comprise a total of 10 indicators.
AQI is a voluntary framework to support discussions on audit quality. For audit firms that use the AQI, we encourage the sharing of AQI data with audit committees and other relevant stakeholders.
List of AQIs
Indicators in ACRA’s AQI Disclosure Framework
AQI | What it measures |
|---|---|
Use of technology (new) | Degree to which audit teams deploy digital solutions in financial statements audits |
Culture survey (new) |
|
Restatements (new) | Retrospective restatements that may suggest material misstatements undetected in previous financial years |
Audit hours (revised) | Hours expended by:
before and after the audited entity’s financial year end |
Quality control (Existing) | Total headcount of quality control staff as a ratio of total audit staff strength |
Training (Existing) | Average training hours and industry-specific training provided |
Inspections (Existing) | Results from external quality inspections and the firm's internal quality reviews |
Staff oversight (Existing) | Number of staff per partner and per manager |
Experience (Existing) | Years of audit experience and industry specialisation relevant to your company |
Attrition rate (Existing) | Overall staff turnover rate |
Adopting the AQI framework
Download the publication on the 2025 review of ACRA's AQI Disclosure Framework.
Audit firms can use this revised Framework for audits of financial statements for financial periods ending on or after 31 March 2026, with an option for early adoption.
Guidance for stakeholders
Learn how to interpret AQIs and apply them in practice: Guidance to audit committees on ACRA's Revised AQI Disclosure Framework [PDF, 389 KB]
Past resources
2020’s revised ACRA’s AQI Disclosure Framework
2015’s initial launch of ACRA’s AQI Disclosure Framework
Related news
Checking AQI industry averages
We publish industry averages and range data for three AQIs twice a year.
Latest industry averages:
We group the data by Big Four firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) and non-Big Four firms serving listed companies. This grouping supports industry comparisons.
Which AQIs have industry data
Available industry data
AQI | Industry data provided |
|---|---|
Staff oversight: Staff per partner or manager ratio |
|
Experience: Years of audit experience and industry specialisation |
|
Attrition rate: Degree of personnel losses |
|
When we publish industry averages
Publication dates: Industry averages
Reporting period | Publication date |
|---|---|
6 months ending 31 March | 30 June |
12 months ending 30 September | 31 December |
